Technical Filed
[0001] The present invention relates to a pulse width modulation (hereinbelow abbreviated
"PWM") pulse control method in a power converter such as an inverter that implements
system interconnection or variable-speed drive of a motor that is load, and more particularly
to a PWM pulse control method for realizing lower noise of an inverter that performs
three-phase drive.
Background Art
[0002] We refer first to Fig. 1, which is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of
a three-phase two-level PWM inverter. As shown in Fig. 1, a three-phase two-level
PWM inverter is composed of dc power supply 101, capacitor 102, U-phase, V-phase,
and W-phase output terminals 117-119 of a motor, semiconductor switching elements
(for example, IGBT and GTO) 103-108, and diodes 109-114.
[0003] When semiconductor switching elements 103, 105, and 107 are turned ON, output terminals
117-119 for each phase are connected to positive bus 115, which leads from the positive
electrode of the dc power supply, and the output phase voltage of each phase becomes
a high level (hereinbelow abbreviated "H"). When semiconductor switching elements
104, 106, and 108 are turned ON, output terminals 117-119 for each phase are connected
to negative bus 116, which leads from the negative electrode of the dc power supply,
and the output phase voltage of each phase becomes a low level (hereinbelow abbreviated
"L").
[0004] Modulation methods for such a three-phase two-level PWM inverter include a three-phase
modulation method and a two-phase modulation method. The three-phase modulation method
realizes modulation by varying the voltage levels of all three phases. The two-phase
modulation method realizes modulation by fixing the output phase voltage of one of
the three phases to the high level (H) or low level (L) and then modulating the remaining
two phases. In the two-phase modulation method, the fixed phase is switched by the
phase of the output phase voltage.
[0005] In such a three-phase two-level PWM inverter, the two-phase modulation method is
generally used when the modulation percentage and output frequency of the inverter
are both high, and the three-phase modulation method is generally used when the modulation
percentage and output frequency are low.
[0006] Since pulses of three phases are output at the same time in the three-phase modulation
method, the width of PWM pulses can be made longer than in the two-phase modulation
method. When the modulation percentage and the output frequency of the inverter are
both low, the time interval in which the output voltage vector is a zero vector increases
and the width of the PWM pulses of each phase therefore decreases.
[0007] Since the switching of the semiconductor switching elements cannot be followed when
the width of the PWM pulses becomes too small, the three-phase modulation method,
in which the PWM pulse width is greater, is employed when the output frequency of
the inverter is low.
[0008] As for the prior-art PWM pulse control method of a PWM inverter in which the three-phase
modulation method is employed, the phase state when output terminals 117-119 for each
phase are connected to positive bus 115 is referred to as the first state (hereinbelow
abbreviated "P"), and the phase state when output terminals 117-119 are connected
to negative bus 116 is referred to as the second state (hereinbelow abbreviated "N").
Further, when the output states of the three phases in the order of U-phase, V-phase,
and W-phase is (P, P, P), the output voltage vector is the Op-vector, and when the
output states of the three phases is (N, N, N), the output voltage vector is the On-vector.
The output voltage vector is the a-vector when the output states are (P, N, N), (N,
P, N), and (N, N, P); and the output voltage vector is the b-vector when the output
states are (P, P, N), (N, P, P), and (P, N, P). The a-vector is the output voltage
vector when any one phase of the three phases is P, and the b-vector is the output
voltage vector when any one phase of the three phases is N.
[0009] We now refer to Fig. 2, which is a timing chart showing the PWM pulse control method
of the prior art. Triangular wave voltage 4 is the PWM carrier signal of the PWM inverter.
Voltage commands 5-7 indicate voltage commands of the W-phase, the V-phase, and the
U-phase, respectively. PWM pulse 1 of the U-phase, PWM pulse 2 of the V-phase, and
PWM pulse 3 of the W-phase are shown beneath the signal and commands. The output terminals
of each phase are connected to positive bus 115 and the output state of each phase
is P when PWM pulses 1-3 are H; and the output terminals of each phase are connected
to negative bus 116 and the output states of each phase is N when PWM pulses 1-3 are
L. Since the cycle of voltage commands 5-7 is extremely long, the values of voltage
commands 5-7 show virtually no fluctuation within a single cycle of triangular-wave
voltage 4.
[0010] In the PWM pulse control method of the prior art, PWM pulses 1-3 are each L when
the value of triangular wave voltage 4 exceeds the value of each of the respective
voltage commands 5-7, and PWM pulses 1-3 are each H when the value of triangular wave
voltage 4 falls below each of the respective values of voltage commands 5-7. In this
case, the output voltage vectors undergo transitions within one cycle of triangular
wave voltage 4 in the order: Op-vector - b-vector - a-vector - On-vector - a-vector
- b-vector - Op-vector.
[0011] We next refer to Fig. 3, which is a circuit diagram showing the constitution of a
three-phase three-level PWM inverter. As shown in Fig. 3, a three-phase three-level
PWM inverter is made up by: dc power supply 201; capacitors 202 and 203; U-phase,
V-phase, and W-phase output terminals 117-119 of a motor; neutral point 252, semiconductor
switching elements 230-241, and diodes 204-221.
[0012] When semiconductor switching elements 230 and 231, 234 and 235, and 238 and 239 are
turned ON, output terminals 117-119 of each phase are connected to positive bus 250
and the output phase voltage of each phase becomes H. When semiconductor switching
elements 231 and 232, 235 and 236, and 239 and 240 are turned ON, output terminals
117-119 of each phase are connected to neutral point 252 and the output phase voltage
of each phase becomes an intermediate level between H and L (hereinbelow abbreviated
"M"). When semiconductor switching elements 232 and 233, 236 and 237, and 240 and
241 are turned ON, output terminals 117-119 of each phase are connected to negative
bus 251 and the output phase voltage of each phase becomes L.
[0013] The three-phase three-level PWM inverter modulation method described in the foregoing
explanation includes unipolar modulation and dipolar modulation. Unipolar modulation
is a mode in which PWM pulses are output in which the output level of the output phase
voltage is repeatedly H and M when the voltage command value is a positive value,
and PWM pulses are output in which the output level of the output phase voltage is
repeatedly M and L when the voltage command value is a negative value. Dipolar modulation
is a mode in which a PWM pulse is output in which the output level of the output phase
voltage repeatedly alternates between H and L on either side of M within one cycle
of the PWM carrier signal regardless of whether the voltage command value is negative
or positive.
[0014] In such a three-phase three-level PWM inverter, unipolar modulation is generally
used when the output frequency and modulation percentage are both high, and dipolar
modulation is generally employed when output frequency and modulation percentage are
both low. This is because one side of the semiconductor switching elements repeatedly
switch between ON and OFF over a long time period if unipolar modulation is used when
the output frequency is low, raising the danger of breakdown of these semiconductor
switching elements.
[0015] Explanation next regards the prior-art PWM pulse control method for a PWM inverter
in which dipolar modulation is employed. The state of each phase when output terminals
117-119 of each phase are connected to positive bus 250 is P, the state of each phase
when output terminals 117-119 of each phase are connected to negative bus 251 is N,
and the state of each phase when output terminals 117-119 of each phase are connected
to neutral point 252 is a third sate (hereinbelow referred to as "O").
[0016] Further, the output voltage vector is the Op-vector when the output state of the
three phases in the order of U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase is (P, P, P); the output
voltage vector is the On-vector when the output state is (N, N, N); and the output
voltage vector is the Oo-vector when the output state is (O, O, O). The output voltage
vector is the ap-vector when the output state is (P, O, O), (O, P, O), or (O, O, P);
the output voltage vector is the an-vector when the output state is (O, N, N), ((N,
O, N) or (N, N, O); the output voltage vector is the bp-vector when the output state
is (P, P, O), (O, P, P), or (P, O, P); and the output voltage vector is the bn-vector
when the output state is (O, O, N), (N, O, O) or (O, N, O).
[0017] Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing the dipolar modulation PWM pulse control method
of the prior art. This chart shows the output state of each phase of a three-phase
motor within one cycle Tc of triangular voltage 4, which is the voltage of the PWM
carrier signal. Voltage commands 5-7 represent the voltage commands of the W-phase,
V-phase and U-phase, respectively.
[0018] Fig. 4 shows PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 in the prior art in one cycle of triangular
wave voltage 4 of the prior-art PWM pulse control method. As shown in Fig. 4, within
one cycle of triangular wave voltage 4, the output voltage vector undergoes transitions
in the order: Op-vector-bp-vector - ap-vector - Oo-vector - bn-vector - an-vector
- On-vector; or in the opposite order.
In the above-described PWM inverter, current flows to specific semiconductor switching
elements over a long period when the output frequency is extremely low, and a method
has therefore been proposed by which the cycle of the PWM carrier signal is lengthened
to reduce the number of instances of switching and thus decrease switching loss. However,
lowering the frequency of the PWM carrier signal also lowers the frequency of the
ripple component of current that flows to the motor, and this results in the problem
that, of the frequency components of sound that is produced by the ripple component
of the current, frequency components that are within the spectrum of human hearing
are increased.
[0019] As described above, when the output frequency is low in a PWM inverter of the prior
art, the frequency of the PWM carrier signal is set low, whereby the instances of
switching by semiconductor switching elements are decreased to reduce the switching
loss and prevent breakdown of semiconductor switching elements. However, lowering
the frequency of the PWM carrier signal raises the problem that the frequency of the
ripple component of the current that flows to the motor is also lowered, whereby,
of the frequency components of sound that is produced by the ripple component of the
current, the frequency component that is within the spectrum of human hearing is increased.
Disclosure of Invention
[0020] It is an object of the present invention to provide a PWM pulse control method in
which, of the frequency components of sound that is produced by current ripple, the
frequency component that is within the spectrum of human hearing is not increased
even when the frequency of a PWM carrier signal is set to a low level.
[0021] To achieve the above-described object in the PWM pulse control method of the present
invention, when the output frequency of a three-phase two-level inverter is set low
and the frequency of a PWM carrier signal is also set low, PWM pulses are generated
in which the output times of the output voltage vectors of each phase are divided
by a first set value and a second set value. Adopting this method enables the frequency
of current ripple, which is a ripple component that is caused by PWM pulses that are
contained in the current that flows to the load, to differ for each phase, whereby
the frequency component of the current ripple that is caused by PWM pulses can be
dispersed. As a result, of the frequency components of sound that is produced by current
ripple, the frequency component that is within the spectrum of human hearing can be
prevented from reaching a high level.
[0022] In an embodiment of the PWM pulse control method of the present invention, when the
PWM pulses are too short and the switching of semiconductor switching elements cannot
be performed effectively because the divided times resulting from the first set value
and second set value are short, a smaller value is set by the first set value and
the second set value to decrease the number of divisions of each vector. The divided
times can thus be lengthened and switching of the semiconductor switching elements
can therefore be performed smoothly.
[0023] In an embodiment of the PWM pulse control method of the present invention, the entire
ON-delay correction amount of PWM pulses is an ON-delay correction amount that is
calculated based on the first set value and second set value that are determined when
seeking the divided times of each vector and is the sum of a first ON-delay correction
amount and second ON-delay correction amount. Adopting this form enables ON-delay
correction of PWM pulses that is free of overcompensation and that accords with the
number of instances of switching of semiconductor switching elements of an actual
inverter, and therefore enables correction, without overcorrection or undercorrection,
of distortion that arises from ON-delay in the output current of an inverter.
[0024] Further, in an embodiment of the PWM pulse control method of the present invention,
PWM pulses are divided based on a PWM pulse to which has been added a first ON-delay
correction amount for which the first set value and second set value are calculated
as 1. Adopting this form enables division of PWM pulses using a PWM pulse that is
close to the PWM pulses that are actually output to an inverter.
[0025] In an embodiment of the PWM pulse control method of the present invention, the cycle
of the PWM carrier signal is lengthened with increase in the first and second set
values. Adopting this form can prevent the PWM pulse width from becoming shorter than
necessary, and as a result, switching of semiconductor switching elements can be carried
out smoothly.
[0026] In another PWM pulse control method of the present invention, when the output frequency
of a three-phase neutral-point clamping inverter and the frequency of the PWM carrier
signal are both set to low levels, the output times of the output voltage vectors
of each phase are divided by first, second, third, and fourth set values and PWM pulses
then generated. By adopting this form, the frequency of current ripple, which is a
ripple component arising from PWM pulses that are contained in current that flows
to a load, differs for each phase and the frequency components of current ripple that
arises from PWM pulses can be dispersed, whereby, of the frequency components of sound
that is produced by current ripple, frequency component within the spectrum of human
hearing can be prevented from reaching a high level.
[0027] In an embodiment of the PWM pulse control method of the present invention, when PWM
pulses become too short due to the shortness of divided times resulting from the first,
second, third, and fourth set values and switching of semiconductor switching elements
cannot be performed effectively, a small value is set by means of the first, second,
third, and fourth set values to decrease the number of divisions of each vector. Adopting
this method enables lengthening of the divided times of each vector, whereby switching
of the semiconductor switching elements can be performed smoothly.
[0028] In an embodiment of the PWM pulse control method of the present invention, the entire
ON-delay correction amount of PWM pulses is an ON-delay correction amount that is
calculated based on the first, second, third, and fourth set values that are determined
when finding the divided times of each vector and is the sum of a first and a second
ON-delay correction amounts. Adopting this form enables ON-delay correction of PWM
pulses without overcompensation or undercompensation in accordance with the number
of instances of switching of semiconductor switching elements of an actual inverter.
As a result, the PWM pulse control method of the present invention enables correction
without excess or deficiency of distortion of the output current of an inverter that
is caused by ON-delay.
[0029] In an embodiment of the PWM pulse control method of the present invention, PWM pulses
are divided based on a PWM pulse to which has been added a first ON-delay correction
amount that is calculated with the first set value and second set value as 1. Adopting
this form enables division of PWM pulses using PWM pulses that are close to the PWM
pulses that are actually output to an inverter.
[0030] Finally, in an embodiment of a PWM pulse control method of the present invention,
the cycle of the PWM carrier signal is made longer than the current cycle with increase
in the first, second, third, and fourth set values. Adopting this form can prevent
the PWM pulse width from becoming shorter than is necessary, whereby switching of
semiconductor switching elements can be performed smoothly.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0031]
Fig. 1 is an equivalent circuit showing the construction of a three-phase two-level
PWM inverter;
Fig. 2 is a timing chart illustrating a PWM pulse control method of the prior art
in a three-phase two-level PWM inverter;
Fig. 3 is an equivalent circuit showing the construction of a three-phase three-level
PWM inverter;
Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing a PWM pulse control method of the prior art in a
three-phase three-level PWM inverter;
Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the basic method in the PWM pulse control method
of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a timing chart showing the PWM pulse control method of the first embodiment
of the present invention when changing the number of divisions;
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of a control circuit of an induction
motor that uses the PWM pulse control method of the first embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control circuit shown in Fig.
7;
Fig. 9 is a timing chart showing the PWM pulse control method of the first embodiment
of the present invention when changing the cycle of the carrier;
Fig. 10 is a timing chart showing the basic method of the PWM pulse control method
of the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a timing chart showing the PWM pulse control method of the second embodiment
of the present invention when changing the number of divisions;
Fig. 12 is a timing chart showing the PWM pulse control method of the second embodiment
of the present invention when changing the cycle of the carrier;
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the construction of the control circuit of an induction
motor that uses the PWM pulse control method of the first embodiment of the present
invention; and
Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control circuit shown in Fig.
13.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0032] Preferable embodiments of the present invention are next explained with reference
to the accompanying figures. In each of the figures, identical reference numerals
indicate identical constituent elements.
(First Embodiment)
[0033] Referring first to Figs. 5 to 9, details regarding the PWM pulse control method of
the first embodiment of the present invention are explained. The PWM pulse control
method of this embodiment is applied to a three-phase two-level PWM inverter such
as shown in Fig. 1. In this three-phase two-level PWM inverter, three-phase modulation
is adopted when the output frequency and modulation percentage are low.
[0034] Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing the basic method of the PWM pulse control method
of the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5(a), in the PWM pulse control method
of this embodiment, the output order and output times of each vector are found when
PWM pulses 1-3 are created, as with the PWM pulse control method of the prior art.
The (Op-vector, b-vector) and (On-vector, a-vector) are next grouped, and the inside
of one cycle Tc of triangular wave cycle 4 is divided into time intervals in which
vectors in the same group are successively output.
[0035] In the first half of the cycle of triangular wave voltage 4, the interval in which
the Op-vector and b-vector are first successively output is interval 1, and the interval
in which the a-vector and the On-vector are successively output is interval 2. Next,
in the second half of the cycle of triangular wave voltage 4, the interval in which
the On-vector and a-vector are successively output is interval 3, and the interval
in which the b-vector and Op-vector are successively output is interval 4.
[0036] In interval 1, the output time of the Op-vector is T1, and the output time of the
succeeding b-vector is T
2. In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the Op-vector is output
for first time T
1/2 in interval 1, and the b-vector is output for the succeeding time T
2/2. The Op-vector is then output for the succeeding time T
1/2, and the a-vector is output for the final time T
2/2. In other words, the output time of the Op-vector and the output time of the a-vector
are each divided by two, and each vector is alternately output two times. The output
times of each of the vectors is similarly divided into two for intervals 2, 3, and
4. In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, as described in the
foregoing explanation, the output time of each vector is divided, and PWM pulses 1-3
are generated in which each vector is alternately output for exactly the divided time,
the number of times of output of a vector being equal to the number of divisions.
The form of these PWM pulses 1-3 of each vector is shown in Fig. 5(b).
[0037] In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the output time of each
vector may also be divided into 3 or 4 divisions. A positive integer must be designated
as the number of divisions, and the number of divisions must be adjusted according
to the frequency component of current ripple that is produced.
[0038] In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the sum of the widths
of PWM pulses 1-3 within one cycle of triangular wave voltage 4 is the same as in
the prior art PWM pulse control method, and the output voltage of the inverter should
ideally be the same as in the prior-art PWM pulse control method. In actuality, however,
the output voltage of the inverter is influenced by the switching characteristics
of semiconductor switching elements 103-108, and the output voltage in the PWM pulse
control method of the present embodiment will therefore differ somewhat from that
of the PWM pulse control method of the prior art. In the PWM pulse control method
of the present embodiment, PWM pulses 1-3 are corrected with due consideration given
to the switching characteristics of semiconductor switching elements 103-108 such
that output voltage will be equal to that of the prior-art PWM pulse control method.
This correction of PWM pulses 1-3 is realized by predicting the amount of correction
based on the already known switching characteristics of semiconductor switching elements
103-108 and detecting divergence of the actual output voltage of the inverter.
[0039] Fig. 6 is a timing chart showing the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment
when the number of divisions is varied. As shown in Fig. 6, in the PWM pulse control
method of the present embodiment, the output time of the Op-vector and the output
time of the b-vector are divided into m divisions by means of first set value m, and
the output time of the a-vector and the output time of the On-vector are divided into
n divisions by means of second set value n. In Fig. 6, an example is shown in which
m and n are equal, but m need not be equal to n.
[0040] The output times of the Op-vector, the On-vector, the a-vector, and the b-vector
are determined by the phase angles and the modulation percentages of the output voltage
vectors that are to be output by the inverter, and these output times therefore fluctuate
widely. For example, when the values of the voltage commands of each phase are close,
the output times of the a-vector and b-vector become short. When these output times
are divided, the switching intervals of each of semiconductor switching elements 103-108
becomes too short and switching cannot be performed well. The relevant division value
m or n is thereupon reduced such that the switching intervals of semiconductor switching
elements 103-108 do not become too short.
[0041] When actually applying PWM pulses 1-3 as input to the three-phase two-level PWM inverter
that is shown in Fig. 1, the upper and lower semiconductor switching elements of each
phase in the inverter circuit must be kept from short-circuiting. Thus, when any of
the upper or lower semiconductor switching elements is switched from OFF to ON, i.e.,
when any of PWM pulses 1-3 is switched from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON, the inverter
must delay the set time that either the upper or the lower semiconductor switching
element is switched from OFF to ON by a prescribed time interval. This prescribed
time interval is referred to as "ON-delay time." However, when this switching of a
semiconductor switching element from OFF to ON is delayed by a prescribed time interval,
voltage cannot be output according to the voltage command and distortion is produced
in the actual output current waveform of the inverter. The inverter therefore typically
adds in advance to PWM pulses 1-3 an ON-delay correction amount to correct the divergence
between the output voltage and the voltage command that occurs as a result of the
effect of ON-delay time.
[0042] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of a control circuit of an induction
motor that uses the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment. This control
circuit is a circuit in which correction by the above-described ON-delay correction
amount is taken into consideration. As shown in Fig. 7, the control circuit of induction
motor 305 is provided with: host controller 301, PWM pulse operating unit 302, PWM
divider 303, PWM generator 304 that includes the three-phase two-level PWM inverter
shown in Fig. 1, current detector 306 such as a DCCT, A/D converter 307, and ON-delay
correction amount operating unit 310.
[0043] Host controller 301 outputs initial value M
1 of first set value m, initial value N
1 of second set value n, and command signals, i.e., frequency command ω * and output
voltage command V*.
[0044] PWM pulse operating unit 302 calculates the output times of each of the Op-vector,
b-vector, a-vector, and On-vector in one cycle of PWM based on frequency command ω*
and output voltage command V* that have been output from host controller 301 and outputs
PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 of induction motor 305 in one PWM cycle.
[0045] A/D converter 307 converts analog signals that indicate current values of each phase
I
u, I
v, and I
w of induction motor 305 that have been detected by means of current detector 306 to
digital signals and outputs the result.
[0046] ON-delay correction amount operating unit 310 receives as input initial value M
1 of first set value m and initial value N
1 of second set value n that have been output from host controller 301 and the current
values of each phase I
u, I
v, and I
w of induction motor 305 that have been output from A/D converter 307, and calculates
and outputs the PWM pulse ON-delay correction amounts of each phase ΔU", ΔV", and
ΔW". The negative or positive attribute of the values of ON-delay correction amounts
of each phase ΔU", ΔV", and ΔW" is determined by the direction of the current values
of each phase I
u, I
v, and I
w of induction motor 305, and the magnitude of these values is determined by the product
of the ON-delay time that is necessary for one switching of a semiconductor switching
element and the number of instances of switching of the semiconductor switching elements
of each phase. This number of instances of switching increases or decreases in accordance
with the number of divisions of each vector, and the number of divisions of each vector
is determined by the initial value M
1 of first set value m and the initial value N
1 of second set value n.
[0047] Adder 311 adds ON-delay correction amounts of each phase ΔU", ΔV", and ΔW" to PWM
pulses of each phase 1-3, respectively, that have been output from PWM pulse operating
unit 302, and outputs the result.
[0048] PWM divider 303 takes as input initial value M
1 of first set value m and initial value N
1 of second set value n and PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 that have been output from
adder 311, finds divided times by using first set value m and second set value n to
divide the output times of each vector that are constituted by PWM pulses of each
phase 1-3, and both outputs PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 to PWM generator 304 and
outputs the divided times of each vector and the finally determined first set value
m and second set value n to PWM generator 304.
[0049] Based on the received divided times of each vector and the finally determined first
set value m and second set value n, PWM generator 304 divides PWM pulses of each phase
1-3, and, based on the divided PWM pulses, controls the inverter shown in Fig. 1 to
drive induction motor 305.
[0050] Although ON-delay correction amounts ΔU", ΔV", and ΔW" are determined based on the
direction of current values of each phase I
u, I
v, and I
w of induction motor 305 in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment,
the PWM pulse control method of the present invention is not limited to this form,
and various methods may be applied for finding ON-delay correction amounts ΔU", ΔV",
and ΔW".
[0051] We next refer to Fig. 8, which is a flow chart showing the operation of the control
circuit of the above-described induction motor 305. Host controller 301 first outputs
frequency command ω* and output voltage command V*, and further, sets first set value
m and second set value n to initial value M
1 and initial value N
1, respectively, and outputs these values (Step 1001).
[0052] PWM pulse operating unit 302, based on frequency command ω* and output voltage command
V* from host controller 101, calculates the PWM pulse width for each phase in one
PWM cycle when the first set value m and second set value n are 1 and outputs PWM
pulses 1-3 (Step 1002).
[0053] ON-delay correction amounts of each phase ΔU", ΔV", and ΔW " that have been output
from ON-delay correction amount operating unit 110 are next added by means of adder
111 to PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 that have been output from PWM pulse operating
unit 302, and the pulse widths of PWM pulses for each phase 1-3 are adjusted (Step
1003).
[0054] PWM divider 303 next receives as input PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 that have been
adjusted in Step 1003, divides the output time of the Op-vector and the output time
of the b-vector in these PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 into m divisions by first set
value m, and calculates divided times Top and Tb for each vector (Step 1004).
[0055] PWM divider 303 next compares divided times Top and Tb with a prescribed value S
and checks whether divided times Top and Tb are equal to or greater than a prescribed
value S or whether first dividing value m is 1 (Step 1005).
[0056] If, in Step 1006, divided times Top and Tb are smaller than prescribed value S, and
moreover, first set value m is not 1, first set value m is reduced by 1 (Step 1006)
and the process returns to Step 1004.
[0057] If, in Step 1005, divided times Top and Tb are equal to or greater than prescribed
value S, or first set value m is 1, PWM divider 303 divides the output time of the
a-vector and the output time of the On-vector in the PWM pulses of each phase that
were adjusted in Step 1003 by second set value n to calculate the divided times Ta
and Ton of each vector (Step 1007).
[0058] PWM divider 303 next compares divided times Ta and Ton with a prescribed value S
and checks whether divided times Top and Tb are equal to or greater than prescribed
value S, or whether second dividing value n is 1 (Step 1008). If divided times Top
and Tb are smaller than prescribed set value S, and moreover, second set value n is
1, second set value is reduced by 1 (Step 1009) and the process returns to Step 1007.
[0059] If, in Step 1008, divided times Top and Tb are equal to or greater than prescribed
set value S, or if second set value n is 1, PWM divider 303 sets divided times Top,
Tb, Ton and Ta that were found in Steps 1004 and 1007 and first and second set values
m and n at that time in PWM generator 304, and further, outputs PWM pulses to PWM
generator 304 (Step 1010). PWM generator 304 divides PWM pulses based on Top, Tb,
Ton, Ta, m, and n, and based on the divided PWM pulses, controls the inverter to drive
induction motor 105 (Step 1012).
[0060] As previously described, if the switching intervals become too short due to division
of the output times of each vector in this control circuit, the number of divisions
m and n of each vector is decreased. However, the PWM pulse control method of the
present invention is not limited to this form, and shortness of the switching interval
may also be prevented by extending the cycle Tc of triangular wave voltage 4. Fig.
9 is a timing chart showing the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment
when varying cycle Tc of the carrier (triangular wave voltage 4). As shown in Fig.
9, when the switching interval has become excessively short, the cycle Tc of triangular
wave voltage 4 is lengthened to lengthen the switching intervals of semiconductor
switching elements 103-108.
[0061] As described in the foregoing explanation, through the use of the PWM pulse control
method of the present embodiment, when both the output frequency of an inverter and
the frequency of triangular wave voltage 4 are set low, the output times of the output
voltage vectors of each phase within a cycle of triangular wave voltage 4 are divided
using first set value m and second set value n to generate PWM pulses 1-3, resulting
in difference by phase in the frequency of current ripple, which is a ripple component
that arises from PWM pulses 1-3 that are contained in the current that flows to a
motor. Since the frequency components of the current ripple that arises from PWM pulses
1-3 can be dispersed, of the frequency components of sound that is produced by the
current ripple, the frequency component that is within the spectrum of human hearing
can be prevented from reaching a high level.
(Second Embodiment)
[0062] We next refer to Figs. 10-12 to explain the details regarding the PWM pulse control
method of the second embodiment of the present invention. The PWM pulse control method
of the present embodiment is applied to the three-phase three-level PWM inverter that
is shown in Fig. 3, i.e., to a neutral point clamping inverter. With this three-phase
three level PWM inverter, dipolar modulation is adopted when the output frequency
and the modulation percentage of the inverter are low.
[0063] We first refer to Fig. 10, which is a timing chart showing the basic method of the
PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment. In the PWM pulse control method
of this embodiment, the output order of each vector and the output times of each vector
within one cycle of triangular wave voltage 4 are first found when PWM pulses 1-3
are generated, as with the PWM pulse control method of the prior art.
[0064] In the prior-art PWM pulse control method, the output time of each vector is as shown
in Fig. 10(a). As shown in Fig. 10(a), the output voltage vectors within a cycle of
triangular wave voltage 4 undergo transitions in the order Op-vector - bp-vector -
ap-vector - Oo-vector - bn-vector - an-vector - On-vector, or in the opposite order.
[0065] In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, (Op-vector, bp-vector),
(ap-vector, a portion of the Oo vector), (a portion of the Oo-vector, bn-vector) and
(an-vector, On-vector) are grouped, and then taking time intervals in which vectors
that are in the same groups are successively output as a standard, the output times
of each vector are divided within the cycle.
[0066] The time interval at the start of a cycle of triangular wave voltage 4 in which the
Op-vector and bp-vector are successively output is interval 1, the next time interval
in which the ap-vector and a portion the Oo-vector are successively output is interval
2, the next time interval in which the remaining portion of the Oo-vector and the
bn-vector are successively output is interval 3, and the next time interval in which
the an-vector and On-vector are successively output is interval 4.
[0067] In interval 1, the output time of the Op-vector is T
3, and the succeeding output time of the bp-vector is T
4. In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the Op-vector is output
for the first time T
3/2 in interval 1, and the bp-vector is output for the succeeding time T
4/2. The Op-vector is output for the succeeding time T
3/2, and the bp-vector is output for the final time T
4/2. In other words, the output time of the Op-vector and the output time of the bp-vector
are divided into two divisions with each vector being alternately output twice. The
output time of each vector is similarly divided into two divisions for the succeeding
intervals 2, 3, 4, and following intervals. In the PWM pulse control method of the
present embodiment, the output time of each vector is divided as described above,
and PWM pulses 1-3 are generated in which the vectors are alternately output for the
resulting divided times, each vector being output a number of times equal to the number
of divisions. Fig. 10(b) shows the resulting PWM pulses of each phase 1-3.
[0068] In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the sum of the widths
of PWM pulses 1-3 within one cycle of triangular wave voltage 4 is the same as in
the PWM pulse control method of the prior art, and ideally; the output voltage of
the inverter should also be the same as the output voltage in the PWM pulse control
method of the prior art. In actuality, however, the output voltage of the inverter
in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment is influenced by the switching
characteristics of semiconductor switching elements 230-241 and some difference will
therefore be seen with respect to the PWM pulse control method of the prior art. In
the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the switching characteristics
of semiconductor switching elements 230-241 are taken into consideration and PWM pulses
1-3 are corrected such that the output voltage is the same as in the prior-art PWM
pulse control method. This correction of PWM pulses 1-3 is performed by predicting
the amount of correction based on the already known switching characteristics of semiconductor
switching elements 230-241 and detecting divergence from the actual output voltage
of the inverter.
[0069] In this PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the output time of each
vector may be divided into three or four divisions. Fig. 11 is a timing chart showing
the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment when varying the number of
divisions. As shown in Fig. 11, in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment,
the output time of the Op-vector and the output time of the bp-vector within a cycle
of triangular wave voltage 4 are divided into m divisions, the output time of the
ap-vector and the output time of a portion of the Oo-vector are divided into n divisions,
the output time of the remaining portion of the Oo-vector and the output time of the
bn-vector are divided into i divisions, and the output time of the an-vector and the
output time of the On-vector are divided into j divisions. Although m, n, i, and j
are all equal in Fig. 5, m, n, i, and j may all be different values. A positive integer
must be designated for each number of divisions, and each number of divisions must
be adjusted according to the frequency components of the generated current ripple.
[0070] The output times of the Op-vector, Oo-vector, On-vector, ap-vector, an-vector, bp-vector,
and bn-vector are determined by the modulation percentage and phase angle of the output
voltage vectors that are to be output by the inverter, and these output times fluctuate
greatly. For example, when the value of the voltage commands for each phase are close,
the output times of the ap-vector, an-vector, bp-vector, and bn-vector become short.
If the switching intervals of semiconductor switching elements 230-241 become too
short when these output times are divided and switching cannot be performed effectively,
the numbers of divisions m, n, i, and j are decreased to prevent the switching intervals
of semiconductor switching elements 230-241 from becoming too short.
[0071] Further, when the switching intervals become too short due to the division of the
output times of each vector in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment,
cycle Tc of triangular wave voltage 4 may also be extended. Fig. 12 is a timing chart
showing the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment when varying cycle
Tc of the carrier (triangular wave voltage 4). As shown in Fig. 12, when the switching
intervals become too short, cycle Tc of triangular wave voltage 4 is modified to an
appropriate length to lengthen the switching intervals of semiconductor switching
elements 230-241.
[0072] As previously explained, through the use of the PWM pulse control method of the present
embodiment, when the output frequency of the inverter and the frequency Tc of triangular
wave voltage 4 are both set low, the output times of the output voltage vectors of
each phase in the cycle of triangular wave voltage 4 are divided using first, second,
third, and fourth set values to generate PWM pulses 1-3, resulting in difference by
phase in the frequency of current ripple, which is a ripple component that arises
from PWM pulses 1-3 that are contained in the current that flows to the motor. As
a result, the frequency component of the current ripple that arises from PWM pulses
1-3 can be dispersed and, of the frequency components of sound that is produced by
the current ripple, the frequency component that is within the spectrum of human hearing
can be prevented from reaching a high level.
[0073] Further, although the generation times of each vector were divided into equal divisions
in the first and second embodiments of the PWM pulse control method, the frequency
component of current ripple that flows to a motor can also be adjusted without dividing
these generation times into equal divisions, i.e., by dividing these generation times
into divided times having variations. Adopting this form enables greater dispersion
of the frequency components of current ripple and enables further reduction of frequency
components that are within the spectrum of human hearing among the frequency components
of sound that is produced by current ripple.
[0074] Further, in the PWM pulse control method of this embodiment, as with the PWM pulse
control method of the first embodiment, the ability to correct by means of ON-delay
correction amounts will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art. In the
PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, moreover, first to fourth dividing
values m-j are used in dividing each vector, and the ON-delay correction amounts are
therefore determined based on the first to fourth division values m-j.
[0075] Finally, in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, it will also
be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that the determination of the
actual number of divisions and divided times of vectors that are shown in Steps 1004-1005
and Steps 1007-1009 of Fig. 8 is performed successively for all dividing values m-j.
(Third Embodiment)
[0076] We next refer to Figs. 13 and 14 to explain the PWM pulse control method of the third
embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 shows the control circuit of
induction motor 305 that employs the PWM pulse control method of the first embodiment
and its operation. In this control circuit, however, ON-delay correction amounts ΔU"
, ΔV", and ΔW" that are output from ON-delay correction amount operating unit 310
are ON-delay correction amounts when first set value m and second set value n are
initial values M
1 and N
1, respectively.
[0077] As previously explained, ON-delay correction amounts are determined by the product
of the ON-delay time necessary for switching a semiconductor switching element one
time and the number of instances of switching, and since the number of instances of
switching is determined according to the number of divisions of each vector, the addition
of ON-delay correction amounts that are determined by means of initial values M
1 and N
1 without modification to PWM pulses 1-3 results in ON-delay correction amounts that
exceed the ideal ON-delay correction amounts, i.e., results in overcompensation, when
initial values M
1 and N
1 are greater than first set value m and second set value n that are the actual number
of divisions of vectors. This overcompensation may generate even greater distortion
in the output current of the inverter. Overcompensation of the ON-delay compensation
amount is therefore prevented in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment.
[0078] Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of an
induction motor that employs the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment.
As shown in Fig. 13, the control circuit of induction motor 305 that employs the PWM
pulse control method of the present embodiment differs from the control circuit of
Fig. 7 in that it is provided with ON-delay correction amount operating unit 308 in
place of ON-delay correction amount operating unit 310 and is additionally provided
with ON-delay correction amount operating unit 309 and adder 312.
[0079] ON-delay correction amount operating unit 308 receives as input current values of
each phase I
u, I
v, and I
w of induction motor 305 that have been output from A/D converter 307 and calculates
and outputs first ON-delay correction amounts of each phase ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW when first
set value m and second set value n are 1.
[0080] ON-delay correction amount operating unit 309 receives as input finally the determined
first set value m and second set value n that are actually used in the division of
each vector from PWM divider 303; current values of each phase I
u, I
v, and I
w of induction motor 305 that are output from A/D converter 307; and first ON-delay
correction amounts Δ U, ΔV, and ΔW that are output from ON-delay correction amount
operating unit 308, and calculates and outputs second ON-delay correction amounts
of each phase ΔU' , ΔV , and ΔW'.
[0081] The positive or negative attribute of the second ON-delay correction amounts of each
phase ΔU' , ΔV , and ΔW' is determined by the direction of current values of each
phase I
u, I
v, and I
w of induction motor 305, and the magnitudes of these ON-delay correction amounts are
values obtained by subtracting the first ON-delay correction amounts of each phase
ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW from the product of the ON-delay time that is necessary for switching
a semiconductor switching element one time and the number of instances of switching
of semiconductor switching elements of each phase according to set values m and n.
[0082] Adder 312 adds second ON-delay correction amounts of each phase ΔU' , ΔV' , and ΔW'
to PWM pulses 1-3 that have been output from PWM divider 303 to adjust the width of
PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 of induction motor 105 in one cycle of PWM and outputs
the result.
[0083] Fig. 14 is a flow chart for a case of implementing the PWM pulse control method of
the present embodiment using the control circuit of induction motor 105 of Fig. 13.
[0084] As shown in Fig. 14, the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment differs
from the PWM pulse control method shown in the flow chart of Fig. 8 in that a Step
2003 is carried out in place of Step 1003 and a Step 1011 is carried out between Step
1010 and Step 1012. In Step 2003, PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 for each PWM cycle
that have been calculated by PWM pulse operating unit 302 are added by adder 111 to
first ON-delay correction amounts of each phase ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW that have been output
from ON-delay correction amount operating unit 308, whereby the widths of PWM pulses
1-3 are adjusted. As previously described, the values that are output from ON-delay
correction amount operating unit 108 are the ON-delay correction amounts of each phase
ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW when first set value m and second set value n are 1.
[0085] Finally, in Step 1011, ON-delay correction amounts of each phase ΔU' , ΔV' , and
ΔW' of PWM pulses 1-3 that are output from ON-delay correction amount operating unit
309 are added by adder 311 to the output times of each vector that have been output
from PWM divider 303 to adjust the pulse widths of PWM pulses of each phase 1-3 of
induction motor 305 in one cycle of PWM, and these results are output.
[0086] As described hereinabove, in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment,
first ON-delay correction amounts ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW are calculated with first set value
m and second set value n as 1;
the divided times of each vector are found by PWM divider 303 for PWM pulses 1-3
that have been corrected by first ON-delay correction amounts ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW;
second ON-delay correction amounts ΔU' , ΔV' , and ΔW' are calculated, these amounts
being obtained by subtracting first ON-delay correction amounts ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW from
values that have been calculated based on first set value m and second set value n
that have been finally determined by means of PWM divider 303; and
[0087] PWM pulses that have been corrected by first ON-delay correction amounts ΔU, ΔV,
and ΔW are further corrected by second ON-delay correction amounts ΔU' , ΔV' , and
ΔW'.
[0088] In the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, the total ON-delay correction
amounts of the PWM pulses are the sums of first ON-delay correction amounts ΔU, ΔV,
and ΔW, which are ON-delay correction amounts that are calculated based on first set
value m and second set value n that have been finally determined, and second ON-delay
correction amounts ΔU' , ΔV', and ΔW'. The PWM pulse control method of the present
embodiment therefore enables ON-delay correction of PWM pulses 1-3 that accords with
the actual number of divisions of each vector m and n and that is free of overcompensation.
The PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment therefore enables correction
of distortion, without overcompensation or undercompensation, in the output current
of an inverter that arises from ON-delay.
[0089] Further, because the division of PWM pulses in the PWM pulse control method of the
present embodiment is carried out based on PWM pulses to which first ON-delay correction
amounts ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW have been added, the division of PWM pulses 1-3 can be performed
using PWM pulses 1-3 that approximate the PWM pulses that are actually output to the
inverter.
[0090] Although first ON-delay correction amounts ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW that are calculated with
first set value m and second set value n as 1 are added to PWM pulses 1-3 and second
ON-delay correction amounts Δ U' , ΔV' , and ΔW' , which are values obtained by subtracting
first ON-delay correction amounts Δ U, Δ V, and Δ W from values that are calculated
based on the finally determined first set value m and second set value n, are further
added to PWM pulses 1-3 in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment,
the PWM pulse control method of the present invention is not limited to this form,
and the entire ON-delay correction amounts that are added to PWM pulses 1-3 may also
be only values that are calculated based on first set value m and second set value
n that have been finally determined by PWM divider 303.
[0091] Further, even when PWM generator 304 of the present embodiment is not a three-phase
two-level PWM inverter but rather, a three-phase three-level PWM inverter as in the
PWM pulse control method of the second embodiment, the capacity to prevent overcompensation
of the ON-delay compensation amounts as in the PWM pulse control method of the present
embodiment will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. The division of each
of the vectors in such a case is performed by means of first to fourth dividing values
m-j, and both first ON-delay correction amounts ΔU, ΔV, and ΔW and second ON-delay
correction amounts are therefore determined based on first to fourth dividing values
m-j, first ON-delay correction amounts Δ U, Δ V, and Δ W being determined with first
to fourth dividing values m-j as 1 and second ON-delay correction amounts ΔU' , ΔV'
, and ΔW' being determined based on the actual values of first to fourth dividing
values m-j.
[0092] Finally, in the PWM pulse control method of the present embodiment, it will also
be readily understood by one skilled in the art that the determination of the actual
number of divisions and the dividing times of each vector as shown in Steps 1004-1005
and Steps 1007-1009 of Fig. 14 is performed successively for all dividing values m-j.
1. A PWM pulse control method of a three-phase two-level inverter, said PWM pulse control
method comprising steps of
defining the state of a phase of a load as a first state when an output terminal of
said phase is connected to a positive bus that leads from the positive electrode side
of a dc power supply;
defining the state of said phase as a second state when said output terminal is connected
to a negative bus that leads from the negative electrode side of said dc power supply;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output states of all phases are said
first state as an Op-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output states of all phases are said
second state as an On-vector; defining an output voltage vector in which the output
state of one of the phases is said first state and the output states of the other
two phases are said second state as an a-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output state of one of the phases is
said second state and the output states of the other two phases are said first state
as a b-vector; for a first interval in which said Op-vector and said b-vector are
successively output within a cycle of a PWM carrier signal, dividing the output time
of each vector in said first interval by a first set value, which is a positive integer,
to find divided times of each vector;
alternately outputting said Op-vector and said b-vector, each time for exactly the
time interval of said divided times, each vector being output the number of times
that has been established as said first set value;
for a second interval in which said On-vector and said a-vector are successively output
within said cycle, dividing the output time of each vector in said second interval
by a second set value, which is a positive integer, to find divided times of each
vector; alternately outputting said On-vector and said a-vector, each time for exactly
the time interval of said divided times, each vector being output the number of times
that has been established as said second set value; and
generating PWM pulses based on the divided times of each output vector.
2. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of:
making said first set value and said second set value values that are smaller than
the currently set values when said divided times are shorter than a prescribed time.
3. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 2, further comprising steps of:
calculating first ON-delay correction amounts in which said first set value and said
second set value are calculated as 1;
finding divided times of each of said vectors for PWM pulses that have been corrected
by said first ON-delay correction amounts;
calculating second ON-delay correction amounts, which are values obtained by subtracting
said first ON-delay correction amounts from values that were calculated based on said
first set value and said second set value that were determined when finding each of
said divided times; and
further correcting the correction of PWM pulses that were corrected by means of said
first ON-delay correction amounts by means of said second ON-delay correction amounts.
4. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of defining,
as the ON-delay correction amounts of PWM pulses, values that are calculated based
on said first set value and said second set value that were determined when finding
each of said divided times.
5. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first and second set values.
6. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first and second set values.
7. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first and second set values.
8. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first and second set values.
9. A PWM pulse control method of a three-phase neutral-point clamping inverter, said
PWM pulse control method comprising steps of:
defining the state of a phase of a load as a first state when an output terminal of
said phase is connected to a positive bus that leads from the positive electrode side
of a dc power supply;
defining the state of said phase as a second state when said output terminal is connected
to a negative bus that leads from the negative electrode side of said dc power supply;
defining the state of said phase as a third state when said output terminal is connected
to a neutral point;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output states of all phases are said
first state as an Op-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output states of all phases are said
second state as an On-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output states of all phases are said
third state as an Oo-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output state of one of the phases is
said first state and the output states of the other two phases are said third state
as an ap-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output state of one of the phases is
said third state and the output states of the other two phases are said second state
as an an-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output state of one of the phases is
said third state and the output states of the other two phases are said first state
as a bp-vector;
defining an output voltage vector in which the output state of one of the phases is
said second state and the output states of the other two phases are said third state
as a bn-vector;
for a first interval in which said Op-vector and said bp-vector are successively output
within a cycle of a PWM carrier signal, dividing the output times of each vector in
said first interval by a first set value, which is a positive integer, to find the
divided times of each vector;
alternately outputting said Op-vector and said bp-vector for exactly the time interval
of said divided times, each vector being output the number of times that has been
established as said first set value; for a second interval in which said ap-vector
and said Go-vector are successively output within said cycle, dividing the output
times of each vector in said second interval by a second set value, which is a positive
integer, to find the divided times of each vector;
alternately outputting said ap-vector and said Oo-vector for exactly the time interval
of said divided times, each vector being output the number of times that has been
established as said second set value;
for a third interval in which said Oo-vector and said bn-vector are successively output
within said cycle, dividing the output times of each vector in said third interval
by a third set value, which is a positive integer, to find the divided times of each
vector;
alternately outputting said Oo-vector and said bn-vector for exactly the time interval
of said divided times, each vector being output the number of times that has been
established as said third set value; for a fourth interval in which said an-vector
and said On-vector are successively output within said cycle, dividing the output
times of each vector in said fourth interval by a fourth set value, which is a positive
integer, to find the divided times of each vector;
alternately outputting said an-vector and said On-vector for exactly the time interval
of said divided times, each vector being output the number of times that has been
established as said fourth set value; and
generating PWM pulses based on the divided times of each of the output vectors.
10. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of setting
values that are less than the currently set values for said first, second, third,
and fourth set values when said divided times are shorter than a prescribed time.
11. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 10, further comprising steps of:
calculating first ON-delay correction amounts that are calculated with said first,
second, third, and fourth set values as 1;
finding divided times of each of said vectors for PWM pulses that have been corrected
by means of said first ON-delay correction amounts;
calculating second ON-delay correction amounts, which are values obtained by subtracting
said first ON-delay correction amounts from values that were calculated based on said
first, second, third, and fourth set values that were determined when finding each
of said divided times; and
further correcting the correction of PWM pulses that were corrected by means of said
first ON-delay correction amounts by means of said second ON-delay correction amounts.
12. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of defining,
as ON-delay correction amounts of PWM pulses, values that are calculated based on
said first, second, third, and fourth set values that were determined when finding
each of said divided times.
13. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first, second, third, and fourth set values.
14. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first, second, third, and fourth set values.
15. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first, second, third, and fourth set values.
16. A PWM pulse control method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of making
the cycle of said PWM carrier signal longer than the current cycle with increase in
said first, second, third, and fourth set values.